Adoption in Iowa
Iowa adoption offers many options to families. You may adopt an infant or older child through an international adoption, an infant through domestic adoption, or an older child or special needs child through domestic foster care adoption. All adoptions require a home study.
Iowa Adoption Home Study
A home study is required to help match you with the child that would be the best fit in your family, along with critical background checks, financial checks, fingerprinting and personal evaluations. You can expect to be asked very personal questions about parenting style, your life growing up, family relationships, your marriage (if applicable) along with a check of your home for safety and size requirements.
Who May Adopt In Iowa
People over the age of 18 are eligible to adopt in Iowa. You may be single or married, but married couples must both consent to the adoption. It is not necessary to own your own home, but your home must meet size and safety requirements.
Iowa infant adoption
If you are interested in domestic infant adoption, or are a birth parent who would like to make an adoption plan, you can do so through a licensed adoption agency, or through an adoption attorney. There are many attorneys who specialize in Iowa adoption. Be sure that the attorney that you choose understands the laws in order to protect both parties. You can find a list of agencies licensed for adoption in Iowa through or social services. Adoption attorneys can be found through the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, or through your local social services office.
If you are pregnant and feel that you can not have the resources to care for a child, or to make an adoption plan, Iowa does have a Safe Haven law. This allows you to leave your baby up to 14 days old at a hospital or in an emergency room, and they will help to place your infant in a safe environment.
Iowa International Adoption
One adoption option in Iowa is international adoption. Each country has various regulations about who is allowed to adopt, how long you must stay in the country with the child after taking custody, and what age children they allow to be adopted. Research the countries for their regulations, then select an agency that has experience in adoptions from that country.
Iowa Older Child Or Special Needs Adoption
There are many children currently in foster care who are waiting to be adopted. These children are categorized as special needs whether they have a physical or emotional disability or not. Older children, children of a racial minority, or sibling groups that need to be placed in an adoptive home together are also considered special needs. To begin the process of adopting a special needs child in Iowa, contact the Iowa Department of Human Services.
You are required to take a series of classes prior to the placement of a child in your home. The classes are intended to help you identify issues that children in foster care have faced and how to handle these issues.
Iowa Adoption Registry
Iowa has a passive adoption reunion registry. If you are an adult who was placed for adoption in Iowa, or a parent who placed a child for adoption in Iowa, you may register with the mutual consent registry. Upon a request from both parties involved identifying information will be given.
Back to the main Iowa Adoption page.
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